Belchertown, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
As of the census
of 2000, there were 12,968 people, 4,886 households, and 3,517 families residing in the town. The population density
was 245.9 people per square mile (95.0/km²). There were 5,050 housing units at an average density of 95.8 per square mile (37.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.14% White, 0.81% Black or African American
, 0.19% Native American, 0.96% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races
, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 1.57% of the population.
There were 4,886 households out of which 38.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples
living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $52,467, and the median income for a family was $60,830. Males had a median income of $39,656 versus $30,909 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $21,938. About 5.1% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of that age 65 or over.
the body guard of Mormon figure Joseph Smith was born in Belchertown on June 28, 1812.
The novelist Raymond Kennedy
spent his childhood in Belchertown in the 1930s.
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 12,968 people, 4,886 households, and 3,517 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 245.9 people per square mile (95.0/km²). There were 5,050 housing units at an average density of 95.8 per square mile (37.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.14% White, 0.81% Black or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.19% Native American, 0.96% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 1.57% of the population.
There were 4,886 households out of which 38.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $52,467, and the median income for a family was $60,830. Males had a median income of $39,656 versus $30,909 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $21,938. About 5.1% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of that age 65 or over.
Points of interest
- Broad Brook CanalBroad Brook CanalThe Broad Brook Canal is a water-supply canal feeding the Springfield Reservoir in Ludlow, Massachusetts, a public water supply for the city of Springfield, Massachusetts. Its northern segment is also known as the Jabish Canal....
- Town Common
- Quabbin ReservoirQuabbin ReservoirThe Quabbin Reservoir is the largest inland body of water in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and was built between 1930 and 1939. Today along with the Wachusett Reservoir, it is the primary water supply for Boston, some to the east, as well as 40 other communities in Greater Boston...
- Stone House Museum
- Lake Metacomet
- Town Beach (Lake Arcadia)
- Belchertown Firefighters Museum
- Swift River Playground
- Saporito's Pizza
- Belchertown Skate Park
- Belchertown State SchoolBelchertown State SchoolThe Belchertown State School for the Feeble-Minded was established in 1922 in Belchertown, Massachusetts. It became known for inhumane conditions and poor treatment of its patients, and became the target of a series of lawsuits prior to its eventual closing in 1992...
- Skettersville Pond
- Swift River
- Clapp Memorial LibraryClapp Memorial Library-External links:* http://www.clapplibrary.org/* . Articles about the library* . Posts about the library...
- Mini Fenway Park
- Shelton Brothers Importers
Notable former residents
Porter RockwellPorter Rockwell
Orrin Porter Rockwell was a figure of the Wild West period of American History and a law man in the Utah Territory...
the body guard of Mormon figure Joseph Smith was born in Belchertown on June 28, 1812.
The novelist Raymond Kennedy
Raymond Kennedy
Raymond Kennedy was an American novelist. He was born in Wilbraham, Massachusetts to James Patrick Kennedy and Orise Belanger and was the youngest of three brothers. Kennedy spent his formative years in Belchertown and Holyoke...
spent his childhood in Belchertown in the 1930s.